Fast-Track Economist Scheme
(Singapore)
Recruitment
Capital Economics is looking for capable and highly motivated economists to join the company as trainees and applications are now open for the 2025 intake.
Suitable candidates must have the enthusiasm and determination to succeed as applied macroeconomists. They must be able to learn quickly, write clearly and work to tight deadlines.
They are likely to be undergraduates in their last year at university, studying economics or a closely related subject. Applicants should have a very strong academic track record. Applications from candidates who have limited work experience and/or a Masters degree in economics are also welcome.
Successful applicants will benefit from a competitive salary, excellent on-the-job experience and training, a month-long trip to the head office in London to work in our Markets team, subsidised study for a Masters degree or other qualification, and opportunities to develop their career as a macroeconomist within the firm.
At Capital Economics, we are striving to create a diverse workforce and inclusive environment, which we believe are critical to help us make better decisions for the company, our employees and our clients. A diverse and inclusive workplace makes for more innovative, engaged and empowered employees, from whom business strength can be derived. This is particularly important in macroeconomic research, which relies on a diversity of views and opinions to be relevant and insightful.
Capital Economics is committed to equality, inclusion and diversity. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of ethnicity, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or gender identity. If you need reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process to ensure you are not at a disadvantage to other candidates, please include this in your cover letter. This is applicable if you have a disability or if you are neurodiverse/hold neurodiverse traits.
Please submit a CV with a short covering letter explaining why you want to be a professional economist, why you want to work for Capital Economics and why you are suited to the role. Also, please indicate how you heard about the Capital Economics fast-track economist training scheme. Applications close on 31st August 2025.
Additional Information
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Our fast-track economist scheme provides a unique opportunity to train as an economist in a growing and dynamic macroeconomic consultancy whose clients are mainly in the financial sector. We are free from both the constraints of the public sector and the conflicting interests of many private institutions. During the scheme you will acquire the skills and experience needed to succeed as a professional economist.
A career with Capital Economics will allow you to influence and contribute to the economic debate. Your economic thinking and knowledge will develop rapidly in an intellectually challenging environment.
As our economists are our most valuable resource, we will take your learning and development seriously. You will undertake two rotations lasting nine months each, a month-long stint in the head office in London where you will join our Markets Team, have the opportunity for subsidised part-time study, and benefit from attending our regular internal seminars.
Most importantly, every day you will work closely with highly experienced and skilled economists on issues that are at the forefront of modern economics. By working within a relatively small but global company, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference, to progress quickly and to control the direction of your own career. Many of our graduate trainees have been promoted into senior roles within the company.
Capital Economics is also a sociable place to work. You will have opportunities to participate in activities ranging from sports to quizzes and wine tasting, and to socialise in more informal settings.
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Our Fast-Track Economist Scheme holds several attractions:
1. On-the-job training through two rotations, each lasting nine months. One rotation will cover developed markets within the APAC region and one will cover emerging markets. During each rotation, you will contribute to the regular output of the service.
2. One-month stint at the Capital Economics head office in London where you will work with our Markets Team. Accommodation and travel costs will be funded by the company.
3. Subject to satisfactory progress in the first year, Capital Economics will part-fund (up to the value of £15,000) part-time study for a Masters degree in economics or a related subject, or a professional finance qualification. The rest of the tuition fee will be offered as loans to be repaid within three years after the end of the study period. You will still work full-time for Capital Economics, but will take time out of your working day to attend lectures and seminars, and receive study leave. Your studies usually begin after fifteen months with the company and last for two years
4. Regular internal training run by our experienced staff. This will include classes on practical skills, such as forecasting techniques; internal seminars on macroeconomics; a company-wide mentor scheme; and a monthly graduate reading group.
5. A competitive starting salary with the potential for a performance-related annual bonus and for rapid salary progression after completion of our scheme.
6. Benefits include: competitive leave package, health insurance, flexible working, training and development, enhanced maternity and paternity policies, regular social events.
7. After completion of the nineteen month scheme, you will become a fully-fledged member of one of the teams.
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Submit your CV with a short covering letter explaining why you want to be a professional economist, why you want to work for Capital Economics and why you are suited to the role. Also, please indicate how you heard about the Capital Economics fast-track scheme.
The strongest candidates will typically be interviewed twice by our economist who runs the scheme, Marcel Thieliant. There is also a writing test.
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Who can apply?
Suitable candidates are likely to be undergraduates in their last year at university studying economics, economic history, a closely related subject such as banking and finance, or a joint degree in which economics forms a substantial component. We will also consider candidates who already have a Masters degree in economics or limited work experience. However, if you have two or more years of work experience we would recommend that you apply directly for a position as an economist. We hope to be in a position to sponsor strong candidates who need a visa to allow them to work in Singapore.
Capital Economics is committed to equal opportunities. We aim to employ graduate trainees from diverse backgrounds and welcome applications from women and ethnic minorities.
How do I apply?
By submitting a CV and covering letter. Direct applications only please (no agencies).
The strongest candidates will typically be interviewed twice by our economist who runs the scheme, Marcel Thieliant. There is also a writing test.
When is the deadline for applications?
The fast-track scheme for (May 2024 start) is open to applications until 30th September 2023. However, we encourage early applications as they will be assessed on a rolling basis.
When will I hear from you?
Interviews will take place in August and September. Candidates who are invited to an interview will hear from us before the end of September..
Where will I be based?
During your first two or three years you will be based at our head office in Singapore. Subsequently, you may remain in Singapore but you could alternatively apply for positions in our overseas offices, in London, New York and Toronto.
In all our offices we have a hybrid working policy, whereby most economists work in the office two days per week and from home the rest of the week. Economists can work in the office more frequently if they want to and several do so. Regardless of their working arrangements, economists in the company are in regular contact through daily company-wide and team calls. Capital Economics has a flexible working policy that allows for further flexibility to working hours or place of work, subject to manager and HR approval.
What is the salary?
We offer a competitive starting salary and there is potential for a discretionary, performance-related annual bonus at the end of each calendar year. More details will be provided to candidates who are invited to interview.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
- 24 days annual leave per annum plus birthday leave.
- Health insurance.
- Flexible working policy.
- Training & development.
- Promotion opportunities.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity policies.
Are there opportunities for progression and promotion?
Capital Economics is a rapidly growing global company and is steadily expanding its services. There will be plenty of opportunities for progression and promotion for those who develop into skilled, capable and enthusiastic economists.
To see what our former UK graduate trainees are doing now, see here.
Is there any training?
Graduates work closely with our established economists and get significant on-the-job training. They also participate in a graduate reading group every six weeks as well as company-wide formal training activities including regular internal classes covering a wide range of practical skills and internal seminars on economics topics. There is also the opportunity to join an internal economics book club as well as to join the company wide mentor scheme.
Subject to satisfactory progress in your first year, you will have the opportunity to undertake part-time study for a Masters degree in economics or a related subject, funded by Capital Economics.
When will the Fast-Track Economist Scheme start?
Successful candidates will start their employment with Capital Economics in May 2026.
What is the selection process?
All applications are read by an economist. We typically invite 10 to 15 applicants to do a writing test and a first interview. The best candidates are then invited to a second interview. If you need reasonable adjustments to be made to the application process to ensure you are not at a disadvantage to other candidates, please include this in your cover letter. This is applicable if you have a disability or if you are neurodiverse/hold neurodiverse traits.
In the interviews, we will ask you about your academic background, interests and any related work experience as well as technical questions on macroeconomics. You will also have an opportunity to ask us questions about the role, company or anything else you are curious to know. The interviews will be conducted by Marcel Thieliant, who runs the scheme. We expect to make job offers in October.
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.